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Regular vet visits are a key part of keeping your canine companion healthy. These visits enable your vet to check in on your dog’s overall health, check for any potential issues, and make recommendations for care. If needed, you might visit the vet in between times if your dog experiences an ongoing health issue.
Then there are other instances where you need to get your dog to the vet immediately. In these cases, rapid treatment can be a matter of life or death for your dog. Find out what is a cause for concern and means you need to call the emergency vet as soon as possible.
Dogs are at risk for several conditions that can cause their health to deteriorate quickly. The earlier you and your vet catch these, the better chance that your dog will make a full recovery. A blockage in the digestive system or eating something poisonous can happen to any dog. Other illnesses can include heart or liver failure, infection, or internal bleeding.
While you might not be able to determine the cause of the problem, you will likely see symptoms in your dog. Any of these necessitate a trip to the emergency vet for diagnosis:
You should also stay aware of any unexplained behavioral changes with your dog, from lethargy to unusual clinginess. These could be signs of an underlying problem.
Additionally, know that this list does not include everything that could require an emergency vet visit. The best course of action is to use your judgement, and don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian if you suspect a problem. They can always confirm for you if these suspect a problem and ensure your dog is healthy and cared for.
If your current veterinarian does not offer emergency hours on nights and weekends, ask them for recommendations for a local vet who does. Hopefully, you will never have to use an emergency vet. But if you need one, having a number to call ready will reduce your anxiety and help you get your dog seen faster.